Bridges No.30 - Richmond Bridge

Richmond has the honour of being the oldest surviving bridge in Greater London. It was built in 1777 and replaced a long-lasting ferry service. The ferry operator, William Windham, petitioned parliament for a Bill permitting a bridge to be built at Richmond. However, there was considerable resistance from the local residents. They did not like the idea of a wooden bridge, the traditional construction material for bridges at the time, being built in Richmond. There was also opposition towards a toll bridge. However, stone was considered a more acceptable building material and this was ultimatley chosen.

The architects of the bridge were James Paine and Kenton Couse, and it was constructed between 1774 and 1777. Despite the opposition to tolls, this was the usually arrangement for bridges at the time, prior to ownership by local authorities. At Richmond there were gates at either end of the bridge, with small lodges for the toll-collectors.

Ownership of the bridge passed to the counties of Surrey and Middlesex in 1927, the 150th anniversary of opening of the bridge. Ten years later the bridge was widen on the upstream side.